Brief Description: An 8 mile hike up Laurel Creek and
Snow Creek onto Waldens Ridge on the Cumberland Plateau to 2 beautiful
waterfalls then back out. This is one of the pocket wildernesses on the
plateau and was the first trail in Tennessee to be designated a National
Scenic Trail.

Length:
8.0 miles

Difficulty Rating:
Moderate

Elevation Gain: 1000 feet

Hike Leader:
James Anderson, 423-715-8824, contact him before 9PM on the Friday before
the hike.

Directions to the Trailhead:
The start time for meeting in Cleveland at 9:30AM
is a little later than usual. If enough people are interested we can
stop in Dayton for an early dinner after the hike. Also, if it is more
convenient we can arrange other meeting places besides Cleveland.

Laurel-Snow is located north of Dayton and is
accessible via Highway 27/29. From the north turn right, and
from the south turn left, onto Walnut Grove Road north of
Dayton (new Eckerd Drug on corner). Proceed 3/4 of a mile to
Back Valley Road (pass La-Z-Boy factory) and turn left. On
Back Valley Road, proceed 0.7 miles to an unmarked gravel
road/Richland Creek Road (small white church on the left)
and turn right. Proceed about 1 mile to the parking area at
the end of Richland Creek Road.

Trail Description:
The hike will be approximately 8 miles and is considered
at least moderate since it involves a thousand feet or so in elevation
change. We will hike along a beautiful creek in the Laurel-Snow Pocket
Wilderness near Dayton TN. It is one of the prettiest places I've seen
in awhile. We will hike at a moderate pace so anyone who can do the
distance and elevation change should be fine. We will see an old coal
mine, part of an old reservoir that once served Dayton, and lots of
interesting rocks and cliffs. A highlight will be a stop at Buzzard's
Point where, weathering permitting, we will have a nice view of Dayton
and the upper part of Lake Chickamauga. The endpoint will be a visit to
Laurel Falls, which are beautiful falls coming off the Cumberland
Plateau.

Post Trip Report:
Will be posted along with pictures after the trip and this page will be
moved to the "Past Activities" section of this website.